Swine flu is sweeping into Kane County

The swine flu virus exhibits symptoms similar to the seasonal flu,

However, these achy patients aren't suffering from the seasonal flu virus, which starts in November.

Hall said around 98 percent of the current flu cases are the swine, or H1N1, flu virus.

best remedy is resting, drinking fluids and taking fever-reducing medicine.

The time to see the doctor is when symptoms start to worsen after the illness should have peaked,

Swine flu is sweeping into Kane County :: The Courier News :: Local News

Region loses out on bid for substantial contract

Infrastructures Defense Technology (IDT)of Belvidere has filed a protest with the Government Accounting Office (GAO). The protest notes this contract award was made to the British company solely based on a low priced bid. Despite that the IDT price was determined by DLA to be "Fair and Reasonable," the solicitation stated that technical factors were "Significantly more important than cost or price" and the IDT product was found to be superior to the winning product and the solicitation contained a "Buy American" provision.

Click on the following for more details:  The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Region loses out on bid for substantial contract

Rockford gas prices likely to fall this winter

Several analysts say prices will fall an additional 25 cents at most.

Click on the following for the rest of the story:  Rockford gas prices likely to fall this winter - - BusinessRockford.com

Border-death numbers remain steady - SignOnSanDiego.com

downward trend began in 2005; if the numbers hold through September, it will be the lowest number of arrests since 1975, when the agency apprehended about 596,000 people.

As the nation's economy has plunged, the northbound flow of illegal border crossers has continued to ebb, with border-crossing apprehensions at a low not seen in almost a quarter-century.

However, while fewer people are being apprehended by the Border Patrol, the number who have died while attempting to cross in recent years has remained steady, probably because the crossings are being made in ever more remote locations. …Those who can afford it are also paying as much as $5,000 to be smuggled through border ports of entry, he said, seen as a safer alternative to treks through increasingly remote routes in the desert and mountains.

Read the whole story by clicking on the following:  Border-death numbers remain steady - SignOnSanDiego.com

The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Resolution calls for state agencies to cease using ‘Swine Flu’ term

 

Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) signed on to House Joint Resolution 73 to urge all state agencies, their representatives, and all private media outlets to cease using the term "Swine Flu" and to use the term "2009 H1N1 Influenza" in its place

The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Resolution calls for state agencies to cease using ‘Swine Flu’ term

Expected Boone budget shortfall shrinks - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Perhaps if the county board had moved faster on lowering expenses this year’s shortfall could have lessened?

County officials say Boone County’s budget shortfall for 2010, which once was anticipated to be between $800,000 and $1 million, will be significantly smaller.
Projections for the upcoming fiscal year have the county short only $200,000

Click on following for the complete story:  Expected Boone budget shortfall shrinks - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Belvidere makes plans now for expected shortfall later - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Looking at the huge shortfall at the city how can the county magically have such a small shortfall for 2010? 

Layoffs could be imminent if the police, fire and public works unions don’t agree to contract reductions. The city wants to institute wage freezes to keep people on the payroll. The city already plans to freeze wages for nonunion employees in fiscal ’11.

Belvidere makes plans now for expected shortfall later - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Data shows more Ill. residents live in poverty | Daily Chronicle

state’s poverty rate was 10.7 percent in 2000 and jumped to 12.2 percent last year….

That translates into about 1.5 million Illinois residents living below the poverty line, a set of federal measures that means a family of four would live on $21,200 or less.

About 240,000 more Illinoisans lived in poverty in 2008 compared with 2000

“In DeKalb County, we’ve seen an almost doubling of families living below the poverty line

The median household income in Illinois dropped from $60,203 in 2000 to $56,235 in 2008. The drops in income were particularly steep in several northern Illinois counties, DuPage, Kane and Winnebago. For instance, in DuPage County, the median income has declined $10,690 since 2000, from $87,723 to $77,033.

“This data really reflects only a small portion of the recession and we know that the economy got a lot worse since the data was collected,”

Data shows more Ill. residents live in poverty | Daily Chronicle

Kane Co. Clerk eviction threat extended :: Beacon News :: Local News

a letter sent to county officials, Rockward Associates restates that the county owes around $80,000 in unpaid and future rent.

"If the County of Kane has not vacated the premises by December 31, 2009, the owner will seek the assistance of the court," the letter states.

The county is in the process of taking the property through an eminent domain lawsuit that is ongoing in court

Kane Co. Clerk eviction threat extended :: Beacon News :: Local News

Fed’s deadline approaches for AMCORE - - BusinessRockford.com

 

Christopher McGratty, a banking analyst who covers AMCORE for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods of New York, said the fact that AMCORE has not been released from the order means it hasn’t been able to raise capital. He had estimated in June that AMCORE would need to raise $150 million to make regulators happy.

Fed’s deadline approaches for AMCORE - - BusinessRockford.com

Return ends Ill. Guard mission

Although the Illinois brigade lost 18 members, the unit it replaced – a New York brigade – lost eight in its nine-month deployment.

According to the guard, Illinois soldiers received 100 Purple Hearts and 130 Bronze Stars. Among other things, they helped build 15 schools and a dozen clinics and delivered 2.7 million pounds of humanitarian aid. They’re being replaced by a Georgia Guard unit.

Click on the following for more details:  Northwest Herald | Return ends Ill. Guard mission

Three School Districts now apparently hit by computer fraud

I have borrowed this graphic from Mr. Skinner at:  http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/

Also see my previous postings on September 24 and 27, on my education blog:  http://www.district100watchdog.blogspot.com/

Seaworth Salary increase from $64,000 to $66,000.

The following salary increase for  Ms. Stephanie Seaworth was made at the August 3 Board of Heath meeting.  This represents a 3.1% increase.  There is no indication when the increase will take place nor whether the increase would be within the budget limitations.

 

BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
MEETING MINUTES
August 3, 2009
BOONE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Members Present: Dr. Hess, Dr. Frost, Allen Sisson, Jim Cox, Dr. Ronald Conder, Gary Turner, George
Sprecher and Bob Walberg
Staff Present: Stephanie Seaworth, Bill Hatfield, Lisa Gonzalez, Ellen Genrich, and Sandy Romanek.
Guests Present: Anthony Dini, and Debbie Carlson
Ellen updated the Board on the Abstinence Program and the school activities that would continue to take place.
Outside funding is currently being looked into to supplement the program that will no longer be funded through
the State.
Dr. Hess called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m.
A motion was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Dr. Frost to add the amendment to the agenda. Motion
carried
A motion to approve the Amended Agenda was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Gary Turner. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Gary Turner to approve the meeting minutes of June 29.
2009. George made a motion to amend the minutes to expand on the motion under new business to detail the
motion that had been made and not seconded. Gary Turner seconded the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Allen Sisson to approve the meeting minutes from July 20,
2009. Motion carried.
Department Reports:
Personal Health: Lisa presented the departmental report for the month. The report is in the monthly packet.
Lisa also covered the current activity of H1N1. Dr. Hess asked for clarification on the procedure when the
patient is a pregnant woman. It was determined that the current authorization form will need to be enhanced,
and procedures for the staff to be established.
Environmental Health: Bill presented the report for the month. The report is in the monthly packet. The
Board was updated on the West Nile Virus. There was also a discussion on the handling of smoking
complaints, and future fines due to the current lack of funding for the Illinois Tobacco Free Grant.
Personnel Reports: None
Contracts and Agreements – Renewals: None
Contract and Agreements – New: Stephanie updated the Board on the Stephenson County VFC-AFIX
Agreement. The agreement is in the packet, and will be for this fiscal year. The contract is for on-site
inspections at the 5 facilities that provide the current VFC vaccines. A motion to approve the contract was
made by Gary Turner, and seconded by Jim Cox. Motion carried.
Financial Report: The Grant Fund report for June, 2009 and the Health Fund report for July, 2009 are in the
monthly packet. A motion was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Allen Sisson to approve the Financial report.
Stephanie also clarified that the budget meeting that had been scheduled for Friday was cancelled. The
meeting will be rescheduled when more information is available from the State, which will assist with the
budget process. Other topics of conversation included the Tax Levy, the Local Health Protection Grant, Boone
County Soil & Water, the Vision & Hearing Grant, and potential outside funding.
Approval of Claims: A motion was made by Gary Turner and seconded by Jim Cox to approve the claims for
the month of July, 2009. Motion carried.
Committee Reports: None
Unfinished Business: A motion was made by Allen Sisson to table the unfinished business until the County
makes their appointments. The motion was seconded by Jim Cox. Motion Carried.
o Board of Health Replacements
o Board of Health Election of Officers
o Board of Heath Sub-committee replacements
Stephanie introduced Debbie Carlson, who stated she would be submitting a letter to the County Board asking
to be considered for the open position on the Board of Health. Board members, who feel Debbie would be a
valuable addition the Board of Health, will be submitting a letter of recommendation to Bob Walberg.
New Business: Stephanie updated the Board on the following:
o 2010 Fiscal Goals
o Soil & Water Conservation District
o Food Permits and the proposed code change
o Policy and Procedure Manual updates
Suggestions for additions to the manual include:
o Additional language concerning piercing and tattoos (Stephanie will review other County policies
on this)
o Clarification on voluntary unpaid time off, and the effect on benefits. Stephanie will pursue this
policy with the County, and will have for the next Board of Health meeting.
Administrator’s Report: Stephanie clarified that the changes in the Policy and Procedure Manual are an
effort to improve the professionalism of the Health Department. Other improvements include staff
development and peer reviews. Other topics include:
o Leadership Academy
o Get Motivated Seminar on August 22, 2009.
o Storage Expansion
o Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center
Executive Session: A motion to go to closed session was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Dr. Conder.
Motion Carried. Guests and staff were asked to leave; Sandy and Stephanie were asked to remain. The Board
of Health went into closed session at 1:03 p.m. The Board returned to open session at 1:25 p.m.
A motion to increase Stephanie’s salary to $66,000/year was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Allen Sisson.
Motion passed.
A motion to adjourn was made by Jim Cox and seconded by Gary Turner. Motion carried. Meeting was
adjourned.
Submitted through Gary Turner.

Seniors’ fears key to health debate

“Democrats have spent the past 40 years protecting America’s seniors,” protested Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, as his staff peppered reporters with examples of past Republican votes that Democrats said hurt the elderly. “The other side’s insistence on spreading fear above all else is what will truly hurt our seniors.”

Republican leaders, who for decades have called for scaling back the government-run Medicare health insurance program for the elderly and just this spring proposed eventually ending it, now are arguing that Democrats’ proposed prescriptions for remaking the costly and inefficient U.S. health care system would lead to benefit cuts for the elderly.

An Associated Press-GfK poll conducted this month showed that while the public in general was opposed to Democrats’ health care proposals, seniors were almost twice as likely to be concerned. Opponents of Democrats’ plans outnumbered supporters 49 percent to 34 percent. Among seniors, 59 percent were opposed compared with 31 percent in support

Click on the following for the whole story:  Northwest Herald | Analysis: Seniors’ fears key to health debate

Health reform: why stakes for women are especially high | csmonitor.com

More men than women lack health insurance in America. The breakdown of the uninsured population, to be exact, is 46 percent men, 38 percent women, and 16 percent children (those under 18),

But by many other measures, women face steeper healthcare challenges than men. Women interact with the healthcare system more often, because of female-specific health needs, and so are more vulnerable to a system with soaring costs and with restrictions that hurt women specifically.

women age 25 are typically charged between 6 and 45 percent more than men of that age for identical coverage

Many insurance policies exclude coverage for maternity care or require a separate rider for coverage.

Many insurance companies consider having had a Caesarean section a preexisting condition.

nine states, insurers can reject victims of domestic violence from coverage

 

Health reform: why stakes for women are especially high | csmonitor.com

Should Lake County ban video gambling? Opinions differ

Will it ever be Belvidere/Boone County’s turn?

Now it's the Lake County Board's turn….This Wednesday, the board's finance committee will take up the issue.

Kildeer, Buffalo Grove and Mettawa are among the towns that have enacted bans. So has the DuPage County Board.

program has supporters, too. Chief among them is Corky Anderson, a Beach Park bar owner and president of the Lake County Tavern Owners Association who believes local bars could lose customers to other communities if a ban is enacted.

Click on the following for more details:  Daily Herald | Should Lake County ban video gambling? Opinions differ

New spending unlikely next year for McHenry County

How the supplemental budget process works in McHenry County. 

supplemental budget process after a late 1990s budget crisis forced the county board to drastically slash spending and lay off some workers.

Under the process, county departments receive in each annual budget the same amount of spending they received the prior year, plus funding for "natural" growth like employee wage hikes and increases in vendor costs and service contracts.

Beyond that, any new funding must be submitted to the board through a supplemental request.

But the funding available for supplementals has been falling steadily in recent years - from about $3.1 million in 2007 to about $500,000 this year. It could be gone entirely in 2010.

Click on the following for the rest of the details:  Daily Herald | New spending unlikely next year for McHenry County

Franks decides against gov. run

Mr. Manzullo watch out, a candidate with deep pockets is looking at your seat. (Mr. Franks had $1,000,000 in campaign funds lined up for a run for governor)

State Rep. Jack Franks will seek a seventh term in 2010 rather than run for governor.

Franks, who turns 46 this week, said he might seek higher office in the 2012 election, possibly for the 16th Congressional District seat held since 1993 by U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Egan

Northwest Herald | Franks decides against gov. run

Yours truly in Seattle, Washington’s Fremont area.

Here is the story of the gigantic Lenin statue.  (Click on the newspaper to enlarge)

Senate Democratic Insiders Say No Healthcare Bill Until December - Washington Whispers (usnews.com)

[A Democratic Congressional Aid]--I think we'll get something done. It's gotten too big to fail

if debate continues for that long, there will be no alternative but to push forward with a Democratic-only package for President Obama

 

 

Senate Democratic Insiders Say No Healthcare Bill Until December - Washington Whispers (usnews.com)

McHenry County, Chemtool still do not have a deal on pollution case: IEP has become involved.

I received an email response  from the McHenry County States Attorney regarding the current status of their action against Chemtools’ Crystal Lake facility. 

Your request for information on the above referenced matter was forwarded to me.  The Chemtool case is ongoing and was recently continued for status to 10/13/09.  The Illinois EPA has gotten involved and taken over part of the matter which has altered the litigation. There is no final settlement as of yet.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thomas J. Carroll

Civil Division, Chief

McHenry County State's Attorney's Office

815-334-4159

For details regarding the issues involved in the case go to this June 2009 article from:  Northwest Herald | County, Chemtool near deal

Many Kane Co. departments could soon run out of funds

"Basically, it says they can go and ask for more money," Pattelli said. "And if it's denied, the board is going to stop paying their bills."

several departments remain on pace to spend more money than allotted. Finance Director Cheryl Pattelli has sent memos to those departments heads asking what they intend to, and to spell out potential consequences awaiting them.

"I would not be the first sheriff, and I probably won't be the last, to exceed budget and get an adjustment at the end of the year," Perez said of how he'll pay all his bills. Pattelli's memo has Perez between $1.1 and $1.3 million short.

Click on the following for more of the details:  Daily Herald | Many Kane Co. departments could soon run out of funds

Huntley board approves home rule powers

What might be coming to Belvidere if the 2010 census counts over 25,000 residents.  If over 25,000, only a referendum will stop it.  2005 population estimates show a large increase, as the population rose to 24,593 [per wikipedia]

Home rule status, which can be achieved by popular vote or when a town exceeds 25,000 citizens, gives towns greater taxing and regulatory powers.

Huntley can now impose additional sales taxes, and property tax increases are not capped by the rate of inflation, village officials said.

Click on the following for more details:  Daily Herald | Huntley board approves home rule powers

Belvidere’s DUI arrests up 82 percent from last year

"It’s highly unlikely that such big increases in arrests indicate corresponding increases in impaired drivers on the roads in those towns; it just means more of them were being detected and arrested last year compared to previous years

The biggest increases in arrests among the top departments were in Decatur where DUI arrests jumped by 121 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, Roscoe (99%), Aurora (88%), Belvidere (82%) and Orland Park (47%)

.Also, the Rockford Police Department finished first in the state in DUI arrests among municipal departments with 785 arrests for 2008.

Click on the following for more details:  The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Belvidere’s DUI arrests up 82 percent from last year

Genoa-South Elgin Amtrak route edges out Belvidere

A more neutral view of the Amtrak train decision.

Weber said the research that is needed to prove or disprove Belvidere's contention could not have been finished in time for the stimulus funds application.

Also, the (Genoa) route follows one railroad through its entire corridor," while the Belvidere route would require switching from Metra tracks to Union Pacific tracks to Canadian National tracks, Weber said. "When a train gets handed off from one company to another, we've found that has a negative impact on service dependability."

two construction seasons to upgrade the rail line, build stations, adjust crossing signals to reflect the greater speeds used by passenger trains, build a place for the Amtrak train to park overnight in Dubuque, etc. He said service probably could begin in early 2012.

Click on the following:  Genoa-South Elgin Amtrak route edges out Belvidere :: The Courier News :: Local News

Critics voice concern over video gambling :: Beacon News

Geneva, Il  -- Opponents of video gambling say it would enrich few people, ruin lives, destroy families, create false hopes for independent wealth and harm youth.

"This would make few people rich," said Dr. C. Alfred Patten of St. Charles, a retired senior pastor of Baker United Methodist Church in St. Charles.

Click on the following for more details:  Critics voice concern over video gambling :: Beacon News :: Local News

The Financial Crisis and America’s Casino Culture - NYTimes.com

Great summary of American economic history and discussion regarding whether we will change economic regulation.

Excessive optimism and its close relation — a reckless disregard of risk — are widely blamed for helping carry the United States into the worst financial panic since the Great Depression.

how many people have similarly changed their sense of what the American economy needs. Mostly, it is a matter of whether the country is still feeling lucky; whether the recent crisis will come to feel like an unavoidable toll on the highway to fortune, or whether something deeper has shifted in the American psyche, leaving us shaken in a lasting way.

Click on the following for the story:  The Financial Crisis and America’s Casino Culture - NYTimes.com

Abraham Lincoln Program in Belvidere

.

On Friday, September 25--Six Degrees of Abraham Lincoln” in Room 3 at the Keen Age Center, 2141 Henry Luckow Lane in Belvidere at 3:00 pm. The program is free and open to the public.

Click on the following for more information:  Triblocal - St. Charles - Story / Abraham Lincoln Program in Belvidere

America armed, but guns not necessarily loaded

Fear of gun control legislation causes problems 

Americans usually buy about 7 billion rounds of ammunition a year, according to the National Rifle Association. In the past year, that figure has jumped to about 9 billion rounds

Click on the following for more details:   America armed, but guns not necessarily loaded - Yahoo! News

US, Switzerland sign treaty increasing information exchange to counter tax evasion

Since March, Switzerland has signed 11 tax information exchange agreements, one short of the number required by OECD [ a Common Market Org] for it to be removed from a 'gray list' of uncooperative tax havens

U.S. tax authorities will be able to request information on Americans suspected of concealing Swiss bank accounts, the Swiss Finance Ministry said.
The treaty forbids so-called 'fishing expeditions,' meaning U.S. authorities have to provide specific details on the person they are seeking further information about and can't simply ask for wholesale lists of Americans with Swiss accounts, the ministry said.

US, Switzerland sign treaty increasing information exchange to counter tax evasion -- chicagotribune.com

Potato farmers hope they can woo McDonald's with new variety of spud

It's a card game where McDonald's holds nine-tenths of the cards," said Jeanne Debons, the Potato Variety Management Institute's director.

A decade has passed since the fast-food giant last added a new U.S. potato variety to three others approved for its golden fries, something that both irks and motivates potato researchers who hope their progeny will be next.

In March, three activist investor groups won an agreement from McDonald's to promote best practices to cut pesticide use by its American potato suppliers. [so a new variety maybe needed]

Read more details:  Potato farmers hope they can woo McDonald's with new variety of spud -- chicagotribune.com

Manzullo to Geithner: Enforce Existing Regulations Before Heaping New Level of Bureaucracy on U.S. Financial Sector

a massive new federal agency that would create new burdensome regulations on America’s financial institutions and hamper access to credit and efforts to restore our economy. During the questioning, Manzullo pointed out that the Fed had the authority to crack down on risky mortgages years ago but failed to act.

Click on the following for more enformation and to see Manzulo’s video:  Manzullo to Geithner: Enforce Existing Regulations Before Heaping New Level of Bureaucracy on U.S. Financial Sector - Inbox - Yahoo! Mail

Chemtool move likely a boon for taxes -

Jim Athans’ final plan? Sell/lease old Beloit TIF site to someone else and move into Woodward plant in Rockton.

The pressure is on him to get some business in there,” Winters said. “He’s paying himself back out of that $2 million,” which had been part of an agreement between Athans and the village for investing in a Chemtool tax increment financing district

Now the move will actually cost Athans because the building is not in a TIF district.

Winters suspects that Athans will try to sell the old Beloit Corp. property he previously bought to make up for that.

Chemtool move likely a boon for taxes - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

hurry-up-and-credit-my-account.html: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

Good explanation of “holds” on checks. 

five-year anniversary of when the federal law known as Check 21 took effect. The law allows banks to turn paper checks into digital images and settle them electronically instead of shipping bags of paper around the country on airplanes. Once banks embraced the new procedures, money disappeared from your account much faster when you wrote a check. But the old laws on how quickly banks must credit your account when you make a deposit did not change at all. They still haven’t. In fact, they haven’t changed in more than 20 years.

Click on the following for more details:  hurry-up-and-credit-my-account.html: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

Fed, Seeing Recovery, Holds Steady on Rates - NYTimes.com

keep its benchmark overnight interest rate at virtually zero for “an extended period.” That almost certainly means until at least some time in 2010.

Click on the following:  Fed, Seeing Recovery, Holds Steady on Rates - NYTimes.com

Guaranteed Health Care In Iraq - But Not For You

according to the American political right-wing, government-guaranteed health care is good for Iraqis, but not good for us.
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-dorlester/guaranteed-health-care-in_b_280528.html

Article 31 of the Iraqi Constitution, drafted by your right-wing Bushies in 2005 and ratified by the Iraqi people, includes state-guaranteed (single payer) healthcare for life for every Iraqi citizen.

Click here some other details:  Mark Dorlester: Guaranteed Health Care In Iraq - But Not For You

Bank Of America To Pay U.S. $425M To Exit Agreement

Bank of America is paying the fee to exit an arrangement in which the government had promised to cover $118 billion in risky assets

Bank of America has received a total of $45 billion from the Treasury's $700 billion financial bailout pot, which is financed by taxpayers.

The company says it wants to repay $20 billion of that money, which would remove the company from a list of firms that have received "exceptional" assistance from the government.

Such companies are subject to greater government scrutiny, including having to provide plans outlining compensation packages for their highest-paid employees. The Obama administration's pay czar, Kenneth Feinberg, has the power to veto them.

Click on the following for more details from NPR:  Bank Of America To Pay U.S. $425M To Exit Agreement : NPR

Libertyville may fold on video gambling

Each machine could be expected to generate about $2,250 as the village's share of net income, according to Village Administrator Kevin Bowens. If 10 establishments installed the machines, Libertyville's share of the revenue would be about $114,000 each year

Libertyville could join a growing list of communities that have chosen to ban video gambling before state rules are formulated.

"This is not a substantial revenue stream," said Trustee Rich Moras, a member of the license and permits committee. "There's a section of the population where this is a tax on hope."

Daily Herald | Libertyville may fold on video gambling

The Stew: China may kick out American chicken feet

escalating chicken-for-tires trade skirmish,

China. It buys and eats an estimated $700 million in U.S. chicken each year -- half of it in feet alone.

China, this week, launched an investigation into alleged anti-competitive practices by American chicken importers that could threaten chicken foot traffic to the Asian country.

The Stew: China may kick out American chicken feet

Banks' Overdraft Fees Under Fire in Congress

Moebs Services projects that the industry will make $38.5 billion off the fees this year, up from $18 billion in 1999, in part because the average fee large banks charge for each overdraft has climbed by $10, to $35.

Banks' Overdraft Fees Under Fire in Congress - washingtonpost.com

ACORN scandal: How much federal funding does it get?

the group has received $53 million in federal funds since 1994

it doesn't get much funding from the federal government. But the gesture's ripple effect – in influencing states and charities to also cut off funds

By law, ACORN is not allowed to use federal dollars to conduct voter registration

Click on the following for more details:  ACORN scandal: How much federal funding does it get? | csmonitor.com

US no longer insures your money-market fund, but that’s good news | csmonitor.com

 

Withdrawing federal insurance is part of a broader exit strategy from the government's emergency supports for the economy, expected to gather steam this year.

Last year, one of the original money-market funds, the Reserve Primary Fund, “broke the buck” because some of it had investments issued by a certain firm called Lehman Brothers.concern about a broader “run” by money-market depositors caused the Treasury to step in with an unusual guarantee

The guarantees come to a stop Friday, however.

The program insured as much as $3 trillion in money-market fund holdings, and earned about $1.2 billion in participation fees paid to the Treasury by money-market funds

US no longer insures your money-market fund, but that’s good news | csmonitor.com

Boone County corrections officers to receive back pay, raises

McHenry County Correction[http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/jobpostings/Pages/CorrectionalOfficer.aspx] starts at $40,660 (that is 4.8% higher than Boone County) with a top salary of $68,868. 

Three years’ worth of raises
As of Dec. 1, 2009, starting officers would make $18.68, which would be $38,800, Terrinoni said, noting many of the officers are in their early years with an average pay of $21 an hour or $43,000 a year as of December 2009

Boone County corrections officers to receive back pay, raises - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

State: Genoa route likely best bet for Amtrak

faster, cheaper and more popular than the Belvidere route

“We’ll go with the route with the best opportunity to get funding. ... Our best opportunity is with the (Genoa) route for right now,” said George Weber, head of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s railroads bureau.

Click on the following for more details:  State: Genoa route likely best bet for Amtrak - - BusinessRockford.com

Could anything be clearer as to what happened to Boone county home sales?

The question is:  will the numbers come back?  Boone County had less than 100 sales in 1st Quarter 2009;  McHenry County 500.  It appears that prices may be back to 2004 levels—please note that assessors.

What will the 2009 numbers for permits be?

Single-family new house construction building permits for the City of Belvidere:

• 1996: 72 buildings, average cost: $108,900
• 1997: 80 buildings, average cost: $96,700
• 1998: 95 buildings, average cost: $105,600
• 1999: 169 buildings, average cost: $106,500
• 2000: 152 buildings, average cost: $121,500
• 2001: 232 buildings, average cost: $116,400
• 2002: 160 buildings, average cost: $125,600
• 2003: 171 buildings, average cost: $146,700
• 2004: 202 buildings, average cost: $130,300
• 2005: 200 buildings, average cost: $143,000
• 2006: 196 buildings, average cost: $189,000
• 2007: 106 buildings, average cost: $204,900
• 2008: 14 buildings, average cost: $252,700

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Belvidere-Illinois.html#ixzz0RhPr1IGQ

State will declare public health emergency

next week was "batted around" on internal phone calls with Public Health officials, said Melaney Arnold, IDPH communications manager.

On Thursday September 17, Chance told the Journal Star and other news organizations that Quinn was to make the emergency declaration next week. 

The declaration does not necessarily indicate that we're at the extreme measure as it relates to H1N1, but it provides the tools necessary, especially from a public health response, related to the mass vaccination programs that will be a challenge for all public health departments," Chance said.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said Friday a definative date has not been set for the emergency declaration

Click on the following for the rest of the story:  State will declare public health emergency - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com

Four-Fifths of Businesses Foresee Severe Problems Maintaining Operations If Significant H1N1 Flu Outbreak - September 09, 2009

 Concerning study by Harvard Medical School.

only one-third believe they could sustain their business without severe operational problems if half their workforce were absent for two weeks due to H1N1 (also known as "swine flu"). Just one-fifth believe they could avoid such problems for one month with half their employees out. The survey also found that while 74% of businesses offer paid sick leave for employees, only 35% of businesses offer paid leave that would allow employees to take care of sick family members, and even fewer would allow paid time off to care for children if schools/daycares were closed (21%).

Click on the following for further details:  Four-Fifths of Businesses Foresee Severe Problems Maintaining Operations If Significant H1N1 Flu Outbreak - September 09, 2009 -2009 Releases - Press Releases - Harvard School of Public Health

Elgin to audit more for illegal city workers

The city spent about $700 for a Wisconsin-based human resources firm to double check that all workers at the temp agency had identification, their paperwork was in order and they didn't have "no match" letters, which are warnings issued by the federal government when a worker's Social Security number and name don't match in federal records.

E-Verify is an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. It is free and voluntary, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services Web site.

As of Sept. 8, all federal contractors were required to use the system.

Click on the following for the complete story:  Daily Herald | Elgin to audit more for illegal city workers

Video gambling fees likely to keep some from going all in - - BusinessRockford.com

Here is the first time in long time that the Rockford Register Star has mentioned video poker.

Revenue from the next-generation terminals could funnel more than $300 million a year to the Illinois Department of Revenue, according to state estimates. But some locales, including Rosemont, DuPage County, Rochester and Country Club Hills, have banned the machines within their borders, leaving state officials wondering precisely how much cash will flow to state coffers

Thirty percent of the revenue from the machines will go to the state, with the rest divided between the establishments with the machines and a third party who may own and maintain the machines

Click on the following for the rest of the story:  Video gambling fees likely to keep some from going all in - - BusinessRockford.com

A 20% discount at CVS Drugstore available to residents of other counties.

Residents of Cook, Dekalb, DuPage, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, McLean, Peoria, Tazewell, Vermilion, Will and Winnebago Counties are eligible for 20% Prescription Drug Discount from the National Associations of Counties.  I don’t know why Boone County residents do not qualify, perhaps you can ask your county board.  From what I understand CVS is a very competitively priced drugstore so some may wish to pursue this discount. 

The following is the information  regarding the program from McHenry County’s website:  www.co.mchenry.il.us

 

NACo Prescription Drug Discount Card Program

Americans are paying more for prescription drugs than every before.  But there are now a number of prescription drug assistance programs in place to help decrease the costs.
McHenry County is participating in this nationwide prescription drug discount card pilot program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo).  With this card, free to county residents, you can save money on many of your prescription purchases.

Free Enrollment for County Residents

•   Average savings of 20%
•   No limits
•   No age requirements
•   No income requirements
•   Family coverage
•   Use it anytime your prescription is not covered by insurance

To obtain your card please visit one of the following sites:

McHenry County Administration

   667 Ware Road
   Woodstock, IL 60098
   815/ 334-4000

Nunda Township

   3510 Bay Road
   Crystal Lake, IL 60014
   815/ 459-4011

More Information

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Locate a Pharmacy

Additional Information available at:

  toll free:  1-877-321-2652 or

  visit:  The NACO Website

McHenry County Board May Let Voters Have Say in Bar Slot Machines

And where is Boone County and Belvidere on this issue?  Will either board discuss or vote on the issue?

It conceivable that the McHenry County Board may allow citizens to vote whether they want slot machines and video poker in McHenry County.  It would be an advisory referendum, because the legislature only allowed binding referendums that are initiated by 25% of the voters in a county or municipality

The minimum that will happen is that the county board's License and Liquor Committee will hold a hearing on the evening of October 7 at the Administrative Center in Woodstock at 6:00PM.

Then, on October 20th, the county board could vote whether to ban slot machines in the unincorporated part of McHenry County having an effect on 44 bars, taverns and restaurants, plus 7 golf clubs

Read the further details at Cal Skinner’s Blog:  McHenry County Blog: McHenry County Board May Let Voters Have Say in Bar Slot Machines

where-home-prices-are-likely-to-rise.html: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

 

"Generally speaking the industrial Midwest has been hit very hard by the housing downturn, because the manufacturing economy has been very troubled and areas there have shed many jobs," says Chen. "The decline in population has also weakened housing markets."

Chicago, Il.

Percentage Change:

1 Year, 2009: -16.31%

3 Year, 2009-2012: 1.49%

5 Year, 2009-2014: 14%

Click on the following for the rest of the story:  where-home-prices-are-likely-to-rise.html: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

Failure Friday Twofer Brings Bank Toll to 94 - ProPublica

 

On Friday, FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair said [3] that the agency may be forced to tap a $500 billion credit line it has with the U.S. Treasury to replenish its dwindling deposit fund. Congress mandates that the minimum level for the FDIC fund should be 1.15 percent of total insured deposits. As of June, the fund stood at just $10.4 billion, or 0.22 percent of insured deposits.

Failure Friday Twofer Brings Bank Toll to 94 - ProPublica

Wind farm company sues Lee | Daily Chronicle

This is a zoning/planning board’s nightmare—a legal suit by a corporation with deep pockets. 

A company that wants to build six wind turbines within the Village of Lee’s jurisdiction is suing the village board, saying members improperly denied construction permits after an Aug. 31 public hearing.

Click on the following for the rest of the story:  Wind farm company sues Lee | Daily Chronicle

Daily Herald | Grayslake group look at challenging property tax process

Interesting article about Grayslake’s Citizens Action Project. 

But assessments are only half of the equation regarding property tax mills, Minsky said.

The other half is the tax levy, the amount of money each school district requests from property taxes.

When the assessed value of property goes down, the tax rate needs to go up to raise the same amount of money for the school district.

Minsky said their mission is to assure the way local entities arrive at their calculations is fair and open

Daily Herald | Grayslake group look at challenging property tax process

Patti denies taking charity's donor list :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Gov. Blagojevich

Rick Roberts, director of strategy for the charity, told Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed that Patti Blagojevich upset donors because she was contacting people off the group's donor list to promote former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's new book.

Click on the following for more details:  Patti denies taking charity's donor list :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Gov. Blagojevich

Daily Herald | Another Illinois Tollway official hits the road

 

The Illinois Tollway leadership exodus continues as the agency's technology chief becomes the seventh top administrator to leave within a year.

Ted Young, chief of information technology, resigned Wednesday from his $142,632 position at the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

Daily Herald | Another Illinois Tollway official hits the road

H1N1 shots to be free, but not available to all - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

Those groups are pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, health-care and emergency medical services workers, anyone aged 6 months through 24 years of age, and people 25 through 64 with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

But officials said people who aren’t among the priority groups to receive the vaccine will be turned away.

H1N1 shots to be free, but not available to all - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

Redistricting committee ready to hear proposals - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com

 

Currently, if lawmakers can't agree on a new redistricting map, the job goes to a panel with equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans.

In a deadlock, Illinois is the only state that puts the names of one Republican and one Democrat in a hat and picks one. That party then wins control of the redistricting process and can draw boundaries to benefit their political party, and the result is noncompetitive districts.

Click on the following for more details:  Redistricting committee ready to hear proposals - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com

Northwest Herald | Health care marketplace thrives on secret prices

Increasingly, consumers have an incentive to shop around because of high deductibles that require them to open their own wallets before insurance kicks in. A growing number of employers are shifting more costs to workers through these high deductible plans.

Until now, the push for price transparency hasn’t played much of a role in the national debate over health care reform. However, the Senate Finance Committee version of health care overhaul would require hospitals to list their standard charges for services.

Northwest Herald | Health care marketplace thrives on secret prices

Daily Herald | Rolling Meadows bank closure surprises city officials

 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, will be paying out the bank's[Platinum Community Bank’s] insured accounts - those of $250,000 or less per individual account. The bank's total deposits amount to $305 million. The FDIC will mail customers checks for their insured funds on Tuesday, Sept. 8, according to a news release.

Daily Herald | Rolling Meadows bank closure surprises city officials

Lee rejects six turbines | Daily Chronicle

The Lee Village Board earlier this week unanimously rejected a developer’s plan to build six wind turbines outside the village but within one and a half miles of it

The developer, NextEra Energy Resources, says that in the first year, the turbines would generate $83,000 in local taxes to the county, $51,000 for schools and $3,700 for the fire district.
NextEra, a subsidiary of Florida Power & Light Energy Illinois Wind LLC, also offered the village of Lee $60,000 – and $3,000 each year thereafter – to help the village make improvements to streets, drainage and other infrastructure.

The proposal before Lee officials was part of a 151-turbine wind farm that will straddle DeKalb and Lee counties

Lee rejects six turbines | Daily Chronicle

Daily Herald | State to move forward with layoffs

 

AFSCME to reopen its contract to consider concessions, such as unpaid furlough days and a pay freeze.

AFSCME Executive Director Henry Bayer says the proposed concessions would cut workers' pay by up to 15 percent and would still result in 1,000 layoffs.

To help deal with a huge budget deficit, Quinn has proposed 2,600 layoffs, including many in Illinois' prisons

Daily Herald | State to move forward with layoffs

Daily Herald | 63 Aurora employees lose jobs in layoffs

Before the personnel reductions, the city employed roughly 1,100 workers, 900 of whom are represented by bargaining groups. Both union and nonunion employees received layoff notices as follows: 21 employees from the nonunion executive and nonexempt classifications; 16 full-time employees from AFSCME Local 3298, which consists of clerical positions, inspectors, planners and accountants; and four full-time employees from AFSCME Local 1514 which includes public works and water and sewer maintenance employees.

Pursuant to the union contract, 22 part-time AFSCME Local 3298 employees also received layoff notices. At this time, the city intends to retain 15 of the 22 affected part-time positions

projected $5.6 million general fund shortfall in 2009. Caputo estimated the 2010 shortfall could reach $19 million unless the city reduces operating costs.

ore than half of those personnel costs are related to public safety.

Both the police and fire departments lost administrative or professional staff Thursday, but Ergo said no officer, paramedic or firefighter positions were eliminated.

Last month, the city's roughly 300 nonunion employees were told they will be required to take five furlough days over the remainder

Click on the following for more of the story:  Daily Herald | 63 Aurora employees lose jobs in layoffs

The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Direct comments for Boone Resident Judgeship to IL Supreme Court

ROCKFORD – Anyone seeking information regarding the newly created Boone County Resident Judge position and/or Associate Judge position created by Public. Act 96-108, should contact Joe Tybor, the Illinois Supreme Court Press Secretary.

Tybor can be contacted at 222 N. LaSalIe St., Chicago, IL 60601, or 312-793-2323.

All decisions regarding the new judgeships will be determined by the Illinois Supreme Court.

The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Direct comments for Boone Resident Judgeship to IL Supreme Court

Breaking News: Boone County will consider declaring itself part of a Recovery Zone

This action will allow Boone County to borrow  funds at very favorable rates for both private and public projects.  Assuming the action is taken, Boone County will be joining Stephenson, McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, Lake and Cook counties and the City of Chicago in this stimulus program. 

The proposal will be discussed at the Tuesday, September 8, Finance Subcommittee meeting.   Expect a decision on the matter at the next full board meeting on Wednesday, September 16.

 

Click to enlarge the photocopies:

Daily Herald | Illinois gets $200 million for unemployment plan

 

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois will get more than $200 million in U.S. Labor Department funds to modernize its unemployment insurance program.

Daily Herald | Illinois gets $200 million for unemployment plan

$1.7M deficit likely in 2010 for DeKalb County | Daily Chronicle

 

Sales tax revenue is projected to be down
$1.2 million over 2009, and income tax is expected to be down $300,000.
The county hopes to maintain services through the economic downturn. All departments have either a zero increase or very small increases

The average homeowner will see a 3.6 percent increase in EAV, so that the market value of a $200,000 home will rise to $207,200.
In the budget, non-union employees will see a 2-percent wage increase.

$1.7M deficit likely in 2010 for DeKalb County | Daily Chronicle

Northwest Herald | Stadium developers line up for fed stimulus bonds

Here is a new wrinkle to Boone County’s federal recovery bonds—give them to a county which  will use them. 

approved by the [McHenry]County Board, the request would take up more than half of the $27.5 million in federal bonding authority allocated to the  [McHenry]county under the economic stimulus bill for private businesses.

Munaretto said [McHenry] county was working with the Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority to see if other Illinois counties were willing to part with some or all of their unused bonding authority.

See my earlier postings on this issue:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2009/08/thinking-prudently-daily-chronicle.html 

http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2009/08/distressed-kane-county-fits-zone-tag.html

http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2009/08/public-hearing-on-countywide-recovery.html

 

Click on the following for the rest of the McHenry County Stadium story:

Northwest Herald | Stadium developers line up for fed stimulus bonds

Northwest Herald | Manzullo to host health care town hall at MCC

 

U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Egan, will host a health care reform town hall meeting Sept. 20 in Crystal Lake.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting from noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 20

Northwest Herald | Manzullo to host health care town hall at MCC

Manufacturer Diversifying By Investing In Its Local Facility

Manufacturer Diversifying By Investing In Its Local Facility
Chemtool is building a 400 thousand square foot manufacturing facility in Rockton.

See the Channel 23 video on Mr. Athans and Chemtool:  Manufacturer Diversifying By Investing In Its Local Facility

FutureGen, DOE Look For Cost Cuts, New Partners - cbs2chicago.com

The plant, intended to prove that a commercial-scale power plant can use coal while safely removing and storing the pollutant carbon dioxide, is planned for a site just outside the town.
FutureGen Chief Executive Officer Mike Mudd said his goal is to increase the number of companies involved from the current nine to 20.

The nine companies involved now are mainly coal miners, including St. Louis-based Peabody Energy Corp., Anglo American of the United Kingdom and Wyoming-based Rio Tinto Energy America.
In June, Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power Co. and Atlanta-based Southern Co., two of the country's largest electric utilities, left the Futuregen Alliance

Click on the following for the rest of the story:   FutureGen, DOE Look For Cost Cuts, New Partners - cbs2chicago.com

Senator Durbin letter to Future Gen Alliance

September 1, 2009
Mr. Paul Thompson
Chairman
The FutureGen Alliance

Dear Mr. Thompson:

I want to thank the FutureGen Alliance and your board members for meeting in Mattoon, Illinois this week.  I would also like to congratulate the Alliance and the Department of Energy on the signing of the cooperative agreement.  This board meeting and the cooperative agreement really mark the beginning of the next phase of the FutureGen project at Mattoon, Illinois.

With the Department of Energy filing the Record of Decision and restarting the contract, the Alliance can now turn its attention to the critical next phase of FutureGen.   An aggressive timeline has been set by the Department of Energy for this important project.  In the coming months, we anticipate the completion of all the necessary design and engineering components, as well as a solid cost analysis.

In addition, the Alliance and the Department will undertake an aggressive effort to increase the membership of the FutureGen Alliance.  I look forward to working with all of you as you undertake these important efforts.

I continue to believe that we can address our nation’s energy needs in a cleaner more efficient way and that FutureGen is a critical component of how we can continue to use coal without causing more harm to the environment.

On a personal note, I thank you for your service as chairman of the FutureGen Alliance Board.  Under your leadership, FutureGen at Mattoon, Illinois is closer than ever to reality.

I look forward to working with you and the Alliance to move FutureGen forward.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin
U.S. Senator

Durbin: Accord will allow work to resume on FutureGen - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

 

The U.S. Department of Energy and the FutureGen Alliance have reached a new agreement to resume work on the high-tech coal-gasification plant near Mattoon, said a letter released today from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Durbin: Accord will allow work to resume on FutureGen - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

Caregiving robots on the way, UIC scientists say -- chicagotribune.com

You may not need nursing home insurance after all. 

Elderly patients who want to stay in their homes instead of having to consider or be put in a nursing home could get help from a robot in the not-too-distant future, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. A basic prototype of a robotic caregiver for the elderly might be a mere three years away, they say.

Before any robot can be built, the most basic problem of communication, through speech, gestures and touch, must be solved.

the researchers hope to make it affordable.
"If we put the cost at $20,000 to $30,000 -- or much less if we built on a large scale -- and if the robot is in service 5 to 10 years, that would be a good investment,"

Click on the following for more of the story:  Caregiving robots on the way, UIC scientists say -- chicagotribune.com

Daley defends shutting down streets for Oprah bash :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: City Hall

It will require the city to close Michigan Avenue between Wacker and Ohio at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 7 and keep it closed until 5 a.m. Sept. 9th. CTA buses, taxicabs and other traffic will be re-routed.

“This is a great thing we’re doing. I wish we could do this every day in Chicago. How many people it will employ. How much publicity we’ll receive throughout the world. It is unbelievable. You can’t even give us that exposure globally,”

Click on the following for the rest of the details:  Daley defends shutting down streets for Oprah bash :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: City Hall

'Oprah' will shut down Mag Mile | Crain's Chicago Business

By: Lorene Yue Sept. 01, 2009

(Crain’s) — Commuters who traverse Michigan Avenue will see their routes disrupted next week as Oprah Winfrey shuts down part of the Magnificent Mile to tape the season opener of her chat show.

Ms. Winfrey’s Harpo Inc. will reimburse the city for the cost of shutting down Michigan Avenue. The total cost wasn’t revealed.

Click on the following for the rest of the story:  'Oprah' will shut down Mag Mile | Crain's Chicago Business

West Dundee may fold on gaming machines :: The Courier News :: Local News

 

The board has said it will not make a final decision on whether to approve video gambling until the comprehensive list of rules and regulations is released. Until that time, business owners in West Dundee are encouraged to wait before purchasing any video gaming machines.

West Dundee may fold on gaming machines :: The Courier News :: Local News

Kane County sets date for public discussion of video gambling :: Beacon News :: Local News

Will Boone County or the City of Belvidere have any such hearings or must we just let the politicians decide? 

The Kane County Video Gaming Task Force will conduct public hearings at the Kane County Government Center on Sept. 22 and 23.

allow comments from Kane County liquor licensees, Kane County social service organizations, the general public and all other interested parties on the recent state legislation that permits video gambling devices in establishments having liquor licenses.

Click on the following for more details:  Kane sets date for public discussion of video gambling :: Beacon News :: Local News

Caliber, Patriot shortages hurt Chrysler in Aug. - - BusinessRockford.com

 

the Caliber and Patriot were among the 10 most-bought vehicles through the program, which ended Aug. 24

in Belvidere, workers turned out just 2,153 vehicles total in May, June and July.

Click on the following for the rest of the story:  Caliber, Patriot shortages hurt Chrysler in Aug. - - BusinessRockford.com

Mexico nabs 6 in theft of border-fence steel

fewer people are trying to cross because of a weak U.S. economy and a crackdown on immigration.

The first two men caught cutting into the fence on Monday. An alleged accomplice was detained Tuesday with 11 pieces of fencing. The U.S. Border Patrol alerted police to three more suspects.

Click on the following for more details:  Mexico nabs 6 in theft of border-fence steel

DNA law misses 50,000 felons released in Illinois -- chicagotribune.com

 

An estimated 50,000 felons have been released from Illinois prisons or county probation without submitting DNA samples as required by law, leaving a gaping hole in the 7-year-old program designed to link known criminals to unsolved crimes.

county probation departments did not secure samples from 40,000 additional felons, mostly in Cook County, due to delays in implementing the law.

Despite the glitches, Illinois has been able to collect and store DNA samples from more than 300,000 offenders, and the DNA database has yielded around 9,000 hits of some kind, state police said.

Click on the following for the rest of the details:  DNA law misses 50,000 felons released in Illinois -- chicagotribune.com

Pay up -- or else, Kane told :: Beacon News :: Local News

Update on eviction of Kane County by a different newspaper. 

On Monday, Circuit Judge Michael Colwell refused to grant attorneys for Kane County time to appeal his earlier ruling tied to the disputed sale of the circuit clerk's office's home on Randall Road in St. Charles.In doing so, Colwell also declined to block building owner Rockward Associates from attempting eviction as the county moves to condemn the property.

Click on the following for more details:  Pay up -- or else, Kane told :: Beacon News :: Local News

State commission seeks input on how to grow volunteerism in Illinois | Daily Chronicle

 

Just over one-quarter of Illinoisans volunteer, and the state ranks 31st among rates of volunteerism; it ranked 28th three years ago

To provide feedback on the 2010-2013 state service plan, e-mail Scott McFarland at Scott.McFarland@illinois.gov or send a fax to 217-557-0515. Mailed comments can be sent to Serve Illinois, 535 W. Jefferson, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62702.
To find volunteer opportunities, visit www.serve.illinois.gov

Click on the following for more of the story:  State commission seeks input on how to grow volunteerism in Illinois | Daily Chronicle

Daily Herald | Attorney: Kane County's eviction from former Ward's site will go to court

This is really something—a county not paying rent for a building it is using because it is seeking to buy the building via eminent domain. 

!

Kane County ignored the Monday deadline to decide if it wants to sign a new lease on the old Montgomery Ward property in St. Charles, and officials aren't expecting to leave any time soon

Click on the following for the details:  Daily Herald | Attorney: County's eviction from former Ward's site will go to court